“I cannot recall now.” He placed his hand over hers and inched it up.
She smiled. “Why not?” Cassie reached for the buttons of his trousers, gliding over the swell of his manhood.
“My mind has gone utterly blank.”
“How can that be?” she asked as she reached inside his trousers and took hold of him. He bent his head and nipped her ear.
“You have total control of me.”
She squeezed him. “That’s not true. You’re always in absolute control.”
“Not when it comes to you.” He kissed her deeply and slid his hand under her skirts, finding her warm and wet, always ready for him.
Cassie wasted no time and straddled his lap. “How long until we reach the house?”
“I have no idea.”
But that didn’t stop him from opening her and positioning himself at her entrance. Cassie shuddered with pleasure as she slid down his shaft and settled against his hard hips. She rocked to the rhythm of the swaying carriage, and her climax came swiftly. She fell against his chest, sighing blissfully into his neck as tremors of satisfaction rippled through her body.
Sidney took over and held her hips firmly in his hands as he thrust into her, rough and passionate, grunting and growling until he froze, pressed hard against her, and spilled his seed inside her.
At this rate, she might be with child before they returned from Star Frost. Her heart bloomed with joy at the thought. She knew Sidney had a lonely childhood, and she wanted to give him children, certainly more than two, but she’d let life control what happened. As long as they were together, that was all that mattered to her.
She wanted him to be happy above all else. Which is why his silent moments of sadness bothered her. She wanted to know what caused it, and if possible, fix it. He would do the same for her; he had done the same for her when she confessed her fears about what happened at Old Bill’s grave.
Was it selfish to want to do the same for him?
She didn’t think so, but until he told her, it was like a pebble in her shoe, an irritating reminder that she did not have all of him just yet. She could only hope that, in time, he would trust enough to share it, whatever it was.
His lips caught hers, and he kissed her, robbing her of every thought until she couldn’t breathe, and then they had to separate and remedy their clothing. They’d turned down a long drive and would no doubt be stopping at any moment.
Cassie couldn’t stop blushing as she righted her skirts and moved back to her seat. Goodness, what had come over them? Whatever it was, she never wanted it to end. She always wanted them to be so in love that they couldn’t resist each other.
The carriage ground to a halt before an ancient manor. A footman emerged and opened the door.
“Good morning, Freddy,” Sidney said.
“Good morning, my lord.”
The staff filed out, lastly followed by the duke and two darling girls with long blonde ringlets. One wore a red ribbon in her hair, and the other had hers half up and half down. Cassie would guess them to be around ten. The one with the red ribbon had visible scars to her left cheek, but Cassie only glanced briefly and smiled in greeting. The duke, at first glance, was an imposing and frightening figure. She wanted to stare at him, but wouldn’t dare. He had shoulder-length blond hair that he wore down around his face instead of tied back. Unusual, but also daringly intriguing. He was like a character from a book. Mysterious and dashing with an air of danger.
But then he smiled, and all the danger melted away as he shook Sidney’s hand. His smile was wide and genuine, and his eyes a hypnotic icy blue but friendly.
“Calvin, I hope we didn’t interrupt breakfast?” Sidney asked.
“We just finished, but there is plenty left over if you’ve not broken your fast. My cook thinks I’m too skinny.”
Cassie bit her cheek. Not by half. The duke was large and lean but very muscular.
“My new wife, Cassandra.” Sidney waved toward her.
Cassie hoped her curious thoughts weren’t written on her face for all to see.
The duke turned to her. “New wife? I’ve had no word of this?”
Cassie curtsied. “Your Grace, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
“Don’t bother with that nonsense here on Star Frost. We’re family.” He enveloped her in a hug, and Cassie was swallowed by his strong arms. She was a bit flustered as he released her and gestured for his daughters to come forward.
“My daughters, Clara and Josephine.”
Cassie bent to greet them face to face. “It is a true pleasure to meet you both. My husband has told me so much about you, and I hope we will be great friends.”
They blinked up at her. “Thank you,” Josephine said. “This is our new governess, Miss Grace.”
“How do you do, Miss Grace?” Cassie asked the comely young woman with bright blue eyes and light brown hair.
“Very well, ma’am.”
Clara stepped forward and touched Cassie’s skirt. “I like these red flowers. Red is my favorite color.”
“I could have guessed that from the red ribbon in your hair. It is a lovely vibrant color. Always wear it with pride, even when you’re expected to wear white for your debut.”
Clara chewed her lip. “I won’t ever debut. I want to be a lady pirate.”
“Oh, that is so much better,” Cassie said. “The season cannot compare to pillaging merchant ships.”
Sidney cleared his throat. “Cass, my dear, let’s not encourage piracy before luncheon.”
Cassie sighed as she stood. “Very well.” She turned toward Clara and rolled her eyes. “If we must.”
Clara giggled, and Cassie knew she was well on her way to becoming a favorite aunt.
“Come see our play room!” Josephine took Cassie’s hand.
“I’d love to!” Cassie said.
The girls dragged her away, and she smiled back at Sidney with a playful wink.
Calvin clapped Sidney on the back and ushered him inside. “How about some coffee?”
“Certainly.”
“And you can explain your sudden marriage.”
Sidney smiled uncomfortably. He had hoped to ease into this conversation, but Calvin wasted time on nothing these days.
“She seems lovely, and she doesn’t stare, which is hard to come by in anybody I meet these days, which isn’t many.”
“Don’t you have neighbors?”
“Yes, great people. Mrs. Trevor brings baskets of honey she harvests herself and makes doll clothes for the girls. We’ve been welcomed to Star Frost with open arms.”
“How is the new governess fitting in?” Sidney asked.
Calvin sat and cleared his throat. “Er, well, she’s survived so far.”
“Oh?” There was something peculiar about Calvin’s tone.
“But enough about me. Where’d you find your lovely wife?”
Now it was Sidney’s turn to shift in his seat. “She is Tristan’s sister. We married after…after an occurrence at the Mistletoe Masquerade.
Calvin stared at him with unflinching interest. “Lady Cassandra Summers? You married your friend’s sister? After an occurrence?” He snorted and took a sip of his coffee. “I never thought I’d see it.”